Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Sandwi-chips add crunch and condiments between two slices of bread
For those who prefer their potato chips inside their sandwiches, Herr’s has the perfect solution.
The Pennsylvania-based snack maker is debuting Sandwi-chips, a line of condiment-flavored potato chips, for consumers to add both crunch and extra taste to their summer sandwiches. Sandwi-chips come in single-serve bags the company says provide an ideal chip-to-sandwich ratio. They come in four flavors. Ketchup, Mustard and Sweet Onion which will be widely available, and Spicy PIckle sold exclusively at Wawa.
“We wanted to create a chip that is perfect for the occasion that most of us do already, putting chips on our sandwiches,” Ed Herr, chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “It’s a tradition we’ve seen throughout generations, especially once the weather warms up, and we’re excited to be the first company to make an extra bold chip that will deliver flavor and crunch to enhance sandwiches.”
Chips as a sandwich topping is a somewhat controversial proposition, at least on the internet. They aren’t a traditional sandwich ingredient in the U.S., but they are in Great Britain and Ireland.
According to legend, Ireland’s Noreen O’Neill invented what is known as the crisp sandwich — literally potato chips (known as “crisps” in the UK) on bread — in the 1960s as she tried to keep her family fed. In the decades since, the sandwich has been a staple on the other side of the Atlantic. Even famed British chef Nigella Lawson has shared a crisp sandwich recipe.
While Sandwi-chips will work for this kind of recipe, Herr’s has developed these chips as an add-on to more complicated sandwiches. The company’s release touts them as a potential replacement for actual condiments, bringing both flavor and crunch to summertime sandwiches.
Herr’s isn’t alone in making condiment-flavored chips. Ketchup has been a regular chip flavor in Herr’s lineup, though the company hadn’t marketed them as a sandwich topping. And Doritos launched ketchup and mustard-flavored corn chips on its Snacks.com platform last year.
But will consumers want to put chips on their sandwiches instead of eating them on the side? Sandwi-chips could help the British standard be more accepted on this side of the Atlantic — or be a fun and crunchy experiment.
— Megan Poinski
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Courtesy of Hershey
Hershey plants a Kiss on chocolate milk
Hershey is cozying up to the ever-popular glass of chocolate milk with its latest Kiss.
The new offering, called Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious, features a creamy chocolate milk filling packed into the center of the popular candy “that unlocks the best memories of enjoying a rich glass of chocolate milk.” The confections are wrapped in light-blue foils adorned with little glasses of milk, providing a playful tease to the new flavor.
“Inspired by the special tastes of childhood, Hershey’s KISSES Milklicious candies feature a rich and creamy chocolate milk filling that is guaranteed to add a bit of delight to any time of day, and unlock fond memories of drinking chocolate milk for the whole family,” Katie DeCapria, brand manager at Hershey, said in a statement.
Hershey produces an estimated 70 million Kisses each day, according to the company. The snacking and confectionery giant first manufactured the tiny chocolate treat in 1907.
Similar to Oreo, M&Ms and other products in the indulgence category, Kisses is ideal to innovation and limited-time offerings. While some varieties, such as regular Kisses or ones with almonds remain, the candy has seen numerous flavor extensions come and go in an effort to keep the brand fresh and attract consumers interested in variety.
In February, for example, there were 15 flavors available on shelves, including Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and Lava Cake Dark Chocolate, according to Parade.com.
— Christopher Doering
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Courtesy of Diageo
Captain Morgan mixes up real vanilla for classic rum
As the summer months get closer, one bar staple beverage might taste a bit different.
Spiced rum maker Captain Morgan has rolled out an upgrade of its original, by making a new version with real Madagascar vanilla. The brand did not specify if the product previously had artificial vanilla flavoring.
The Diageo-owned offering said the beverage features its signature spice taste, with flavor notes of cinnamon, clove, dried fruit, caramelized sugar and honey. It also has a new packaging design, featuring gold coloring.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Captain Morgan. With a fresh new look that highlights our elevated liquid, we are staying true to our roots and spicing it up,” said Anne Nosko, the brand’s vice president, in a statement.
Captain Morgan debuted in 1944, and has become America’s eighth most popular cocktail product by volume as of 2020. The brand has since debuted variations of its rum, such as Cherry Vanilla, Sliced Apple and Orange Vanilla Twist.
Between 2009 and 2021, annual sales of its rum steadily increased nearly 45%, according to Statista data. Craft rum also is on the rise, with brands standing out for novel and unique flavors of the spirit using different spices, fruits and herbs, educational platform The Rum Lab reported in February.
Captain Morgan has broadened its reach in recent years by expanding its product portfolio following the rise of at-home alcohol consumption. Coconut water maker Vita Coco debuted ready-to-drink cocktails featuring the brand’s rum in three flavors: Lime Mojito, Strawberry Daiquiri and Piña Colada. In 2021, Captain Morgan debuted a line of bottled cocktails in Tropical Punch, Mai Tai and Long Island Iced Tea varieties.
— Chris Casey
